The Daytona 500 is supposed to be the crown jewel of NASCAR, but after this year’s finish, many are wondering if it’s becoming more of a “Hendrick 500.” William Byron, the rising star of Hendrick Motorsports, took the checkered flag for the second consecutive time. But as he sailed to victory, chaos erupted behind him — cars wrecked, smoke billowed, and tension soared. Despite the carnage, no yellow flag was waved. Instead, NASCAR chose to let the race play out under green conditions all the way to the finish line.
To some, it was an exciting and gutsy move, a bold choice that kept the action alive and gave fans a thrilling finale. NASCAR defended the call as part of its “race to the green finish” approach, emphasizing the desire to let drivers settle things on the track. But not everyone bought that explanation. Many fans took to social media to express frustration, suggesting the rulebook was conveniently overlooked to benefit Byron — a favorite of the sport’s most powerful team.
Critics argue that this kind of decision-making undermines the integrity of NASCAR and gives the impression of favoritism or even scripting. Letting a wreck-filled final lap go unchecked raised serious concerns about consistency and safety. Fans want excitement, but not at the cost of fairness or transparency.
Whether William Byron truly earned the win or was helped by a controversial no-call is up for debate. What’s certain is this finish has reignited discussions about the line between competition and spectacle in modern NASCAR.
